Charitable and Voluntary Sector

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Thursday 30th April 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)]

My Lords, I declare my interests as set out in the register, in particular my work with the Encephalitis Society, the National Association of Child Contact Centres and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Addington, on calling this debate at this time of acute isolation felt by many during Covid-19. I pay tribute to the many charities, in particular those in farming and medicine, at this time.

I recognise the collapse in the rural economy, particularly tourism, hospitality and heritage. Women are, as the noble Lord, Lord Purvis of Tweed, said, under pressure at this time. Many are working on farms, are self-employed or in partnership and trying to home-school as well as keep home. There has been a surge in demand for charities, yet there has been a collapse in income. I would like the Government to recognise the cash-flow problems, particularly in the longer term. Will the Minister, in summing up, recognise that there is a need for medium and long-term funding from the Government, particularly for smaller local charities working on the front line in their communities?

At the moment, small charities are falling through the net. They are not eligible for support from community foundations. Will my noble friend see fit to allow charities to access the small business grant? Will she agree that if social distancing measures are to remain in the longer term, the furlough scheme should match the period of social distancing? Will she also be mindful of the interplay between paid staff in charities and volunteers? Will the Government ensure that there will continue to be opportunities for future volunteers, particularly those of an older demographic, who are affected by social distancing? The consequences for small charities of a shorter furlough period but longer social distancing will be dire for the winter of 2020 to 2021.